National Park Service officials with the Obed Wild & Scenic River temporarily closed Rock Creek Campground in Morgan County, Tennessee.
The closure follows measurements showing increased ethanol concentrations in the water and air upstream from the campground.
The National Park Service enacted the measure to protect visitor safety and will reopen the destination after cleanup operations conclude, according to an article by 10News.
The chemical levels resulted from a train derailment that occurred on Thursday of last week.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that 26 rail cars were involved in the derailment, including ethanol tank cars that breached and caught fire. The incident initially prompted an hours-long evacuation of the area.
On Saturday of last week, Norfolk Southern reported on coordination efforts between state, federal, and local agencies.
Emergency response and water quality sampling contractors are monitoring and working to mitigate impacts to the river.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are coordinating containment strategies.
Workers placed a floating boom barrier to divert contaminants and installed several aerators in the river.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to monitor regional air and water quality.
Officials requested that visitors temporarily stay out of the water in and around Rock Creek Campground and the Nemo Day Use Area.
Morgan County Emergency Management Agency leaders estimated that the environmental cleanup would require several days to complete.
Transport accidents near public lands highlight the operational necessity of developing emergency response and visitor evacuation protocols.